How to Stop the Democratic Party’s Temper Tantrums

Never before have we witnessed such petty behavior by a losing party following a presidential election. Traditionally, this is a time for the nation, led by our representatives in Washington, to come together in a spirt of bipartisanship and renew our efforts to work together to build a better, stronger and more prosperous country that works for every American.

It’s called the honeymoon period for good reason. It is time to put aside the hurts leftover from the campaign in an effort to govern. It is a time for a fresh start and new beginnings. It is a time to put aside any differences that remain and help the new president get off to a good start for the sake of all concerned.

Instead, the Democrats, who were soundly defeated at every level of government, have staged a prolonged temper tantrum, playing the role of obstructionists at every turn. Some 70 lawmakers refused to show up for the inauguration. Then, they slow-walked the effort of Donald Trump to put his cabinet in place. Most of Barack Obama’s Cabinet picks were approved by voice vote within a few days. Did the Republicans like his choices or agree with their objectives? Not at all, but they respected his right to select the team that would help him govern.

Now, many of those same Democratic congressmen and senators have decided to boycott President’s Trump’s address to a joint session of Congress on the 28th of this month when he will lay out his vision for the country. What can they possibly hope to gain for their constituents by burning the bridges of communication? Why are they fanning the flames of disappointment and discontent?

Last week, Fox News Cannel’s Neil Cavuto had a jaw-dropping interview with Rep. Jared Polis, a Colorado Democrat, that held the answer.

When asked about his party’s plan to boycott the president’s address to Congress, Polis announced that he would attend, but stated that he and some of his colleagues will bring a guest who may be negatively impacted by some of Trump’s policy decisions.

POLIS: “I’m going to bring a dreamer from my district, somebody who has the deferred action, is able to be here legally. Others are bringing Muslim Americans, disabled Americans.”

(Oh please. Are we really expected to believe that President Trump will discriminate against Muslims and the disabled? As far as the young people who were brought here illegally, does Polis really think he will help them with this stunt?)

CAVUTO: “Without getting into the whole undocumented thing, though, I do want to step back and wonder how it got this bad. . . (After some back and forth.) “How are we going to move the ball forward here if both sides apparently loathe each other?”

POLIS: “Well, as you know, Neil, it’s not so much personal. Democratic, Republican members of Congress get along fine. But what you have is, this institutional Hatfield and McCoy sentiment coming from our constituents, where the base of both sides doesn’t want people to get along. But the majority of Americans, I feel the majority, they are in the middle. They actually do want both sides to get together.”

CAVUTO: “But do you feel that pressure in your own district?”

POLIS: “I got, as I said, hundreds of calls telling me to boycott the inauguration. I think I can count on one hand the number of calls I got saying, go to the inauguration. And I think it would be the converse for many of my friends on the Republican side. So, the pressure from the base is clear not to cooperate. So, what needs to happen is, the majority of the Americans in the middle, they need to start calling in and saying, we want you guys to work together, because that is what will change the result.

(After more back and forth.)

CAVUTO: “. . . If you’re Republicans and you’re saying we want to work with the other side, and now they’re not even going to the meetings, it’s weird, right?”

POLIS: “You know, it’s what people need to hear from their constituents.

Senators, representatives, too often, we hear from our base don’t talk to the other side, don’t work with them. And even though I feel — I think you do too, Neil — that most Americans don’t feel that way, they want the parties working together,those folks don’t call in. Those folks don’t have marches, right?”

So if you are one of those silent Americans, heed the words of this Democrat. It’s is vital that your representatives in Congress hear from you without delay, especially those having the temper tantrums.

Congressional Switchboard: 202-224-3121. Just Ask for your Congressman and Senators by name. If you don’t know who represents you, just give them your zip code and they will give you the names.